McLeod Hill is a tuya, located 41 km (25 mi) north of Clearwater in the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field in Wells Gray Provincial Park, east-central British Columbia, Canada.

McLeod Hill
McLeod Hill is located in British Columbia
McLeod Hill
McLeod Hill
Location in British Columbia
Map
Interactive map of McLeod Hill
Highest point
Elevation1,284 m (4,213 ft)
Prominence295 m (968 ft)
Coordinates52°00′N 120°00′W / 52.000°N 120.000°W / 52.000; -120.000
Geography
LocationBritish Columbia, Canada
DistrictKamloops Division Yale Land District
Parent rangeShuswap Highland
Topo mapNTS 93A1 Ray Lake
Geology
Rock agePleistocene
Mountain typeTuya
Last eruptionPleistocene

McLeod Hill last erupted about 12,000 years ago when the Murtle Plateau was still covered by ice. However, it may also be the oldest volcano in the Clearwater Valley, dating to about 200,000 years ago when it was the source of the vast quantity of lava that comprises the Murtle Plateau. Viewed from Green Mountain, it looks like a low rounded dome, quite different from nearby Pyramid Mountain.[1][2]

The Wells Gray Loppet Trail, a popular cross-country ski route, goes over McLeod Hill. It starts at the Murtle River near Dawson Falls and ends at Helmcken Falls Lodge, a distance of 26 km (16 mi). The ski trail is tracked by B.C. Parks volunteers during most winters. Beyond the King Hut rest stop, the trail climbs steeply onto McLeod Hill, then there is a long descent into Hemp Creek Valley. In summer, the trail is one of Wells Gray Park's few mountain biking routes.[2]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Goward, Trevor and Hickson, Cathie (1995). Nature Wells Gray, 2nd edition. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, AB. ISBN 1-55105-065-X.
  2. ^ a b Neave, Roland (2015). Exploring Wells Gray Park, 6th edition. Wells Gray Tours, Kamloops, BC. ISBN 978-0-9681932-2-8.
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